288 



COLONIAL PATRONAGE. 



wheels within wheels, and its operative effect be- 

 came less and less. 



It is perfectly clear that no system of govern- 

 ment can be effective, as far as the public prospe- 

 rity is concerned, if it be not perfectly Understood 

 by those whose conduct it is intended to control. 

 This is true even where the intentions of the 

 rulers are honest, and have for their sole object 

 the wealth and happiness of the people. But 

 when the object is the reverse of this, and when 

 the welfare of the country is studiously repress- 

 ed, there cannot be conceived a more efficacious 

 plan to perpetuate its degradation. The evil was 

 immensely aggravated also by the manner in 

 which this unintelligible system was constituted. 

 Every individual composing it was a stranger in 

 the land, born in a distant country, and had no 

 fellow-feeling, nor common interest with the in- 

 habitants. Neither worth nor talents were thought 

 of in nominating to these appointments, the colo- 

 nial offices being sold in Madrid, and the pro- 

 ceeds, at one time, made no inconsiderable item 

 in the royal revenues. All public offices,'*' says 

 the manifesto of Buenos Ayres, and employ- 



10 



